I pray this album is convicting to the heart, maturing to the mind, and an assault on the carnal. May the truth of Christ have the platform through these songs and be perfectly candid. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:2 "We have renounced disgraceful ways; we refuse to deal craftily or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth candidly. And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man's conscience."
Hard – Rich Mullins
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Galatians 5:17, Romans 7:14-25
When I came to Christ, I had an idea of what being a Christian would mean in my life. A few changes here and there and get rid of some bad habits. Now, years after my conversion, I realize I had no idea what Christ had in mind. More than that, I realize I had no idea what He had to work with — or rather, the lack thereof.
Well, I am a good Midwestern boy
I give an honest day's work if I can get it
I don't cheat on my taxes, I don't cheat on my girl
I've got values that would make the White House jealous
Well, I do get a little much over-impressed
When I think of Peter and Paul and the apostles
I don't stack up too well against them I guess
But by the standards 'round here I ain't doing that awful
Lord, it's hard to turn the other cheek
Hard to bless when others curse you
Oh Lord, it's hard to be a man of peace
Lord, it's hard, oh it's hard,
You know it's hard to be like Jesus
Don't you know it's hard, oh it's hard,
Oh Lord, it's hard to be like Jesus
And it's hard to step out on them waves
Hard to walk beyond your vision
Oh Lord, it's hard to be a man of faith
Lord, it's hard, Lord, it's hard,
Oh Lord, it's hard to be like Jesus
Don't you know it's hard, oh it's hard,
Oh Lord, it's hard to be like Jesus
Well, His eye's on the sparrow
And the lilies of the field I've heard
And He will watch over you and He will watch over me
So we can dress like flowers and eat like birds
And it's hard when your soul had been stripped bare
Hard to lift your eyes toward Heaven
Oh Lord, it's hard to be a man of prayer
Lord, it's hard, oh it's hard,
You know it's hard to be like Jesus
Lord, it's hard to be a man of peace
But it's hard, ain't it hard,
You know it's hard to be like Jesus
Don't you know it's hard, and it's hard
To be a man of peace, of joy, of truth, of grace
And Lord I try, try, try
Oh Lord, I try so hard
Help me be like Jesus
Well, I am a good Midwestern boy
I give an honest day's work if I can get it
I don't cheat on my taxes, I don't cheat on my girl
I've got values that would make the White House jealous
Don’t Unpack Your Bags – Steve & Annie Chapman
Hosea 4:6-9, 2 Timothy 4:1-5
In the beginning, people flocked to Christ for his powerful speaking and for his amazing miracles. But the truth He spoke offended people; rubbed salt in their decaying souls. And in the end, the majority of those that had followed him rejected what He said, and for three years of ministry, all the Son of God had to show for it was perhaps 500 people. Somehow, this is encouraging to me, in a round about way. Every preacher desiring to follow in Christ’s steps should consider seriously what He said — if I was rejected, you will be rejected. If I was hated, you will be hated.
New preacher walked up on the porch
Knocked on that old screen door
Waited until the light came on, said
"Good evening, ma’am, I’m Pastor John
Just came by to say hello
Take a minute and let you know
I just moved here to your fine town
And I start next Sunday morning.”
She stepped out in the evening air
Sat down in an old oak chair
Said, “Young man, you seem so nice
But could I give you my advice?
Preachers have come to that church for years
They’ve come with smiles but they leave with tears
One by one like a sad parade
And I offer you this warning
Touch a feather to their ear
Tell them what they want to hear
Give ’em milk, don’t give ’em meat
Make it short, make it sweet
If you wanna stay around
That’s what you’ll have to do
But don’t unpack your bags, young man
If you plan to preach the truth”
She said, “I don’t go to that church no more
There’s something dark behind those doors
First time they rang that steeple bell
They must have heard it down in hell
Cause they sent their minions to that place
And they hide behind the human faces
Of those who would trade your soul and mine
For just a taste of power”
chorus
“Now you may wonder how I know
It’s cause a preacher came here years ago
I loved the way he shined the light
On what was wrong and what was right
We fell in love, we planned to walk that aisle
But they tore him down and stole his smile
He carried that pain to an early grave
It’s been hard to be forgiving”
chorus
Would Jesus Wear A Rolex – Margaret Archer/Chet Atkins
Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 8:20, 1 Timothy 6:3-12
The only reason I can get away with bringing this issue up is because the song is funny. Otherwise it would be judgmental and “surely you don’t mean Bro. So-And-So” would start flying through the air. To me, the very fact that Bro. So-And-So popped into your head at all is a little telling. Obviously there’s a little doubt there already. And there shouldn’t be. God’s spokesmen should have an untainted reputation, in the world as well as in the church. Period. Is that a tall order? You betcha.
Woke up this mornin', turned on the t.v. set.
there in livin' color, was somethin' I can't forget.
This man was preachin' at me, yeah, layin' on the charm
askin' me for twenty, with ten-thousand on his arm.
He wore designer clothes, and a big smile on his face
sellin' me salvation while they sang Amazin' Grace.
Askin' me for money, when he had all the signs of wealth.
I almost wrote a check out, yeah, then I asked myself
Would He wear a pinky ring, would He drive a fancy car?
Would His wife wear furs and diamonds, would His dressin' room have a star?
If He came back tomorrow, well there's somethin' I'd like to know
Could ya tell me, Would Jesus wear a Rolex on His television show.
Would Jesus be political if He came back to earth?
Have His second home in Palm Springs, yeah, a try to hide His worth?
Take money, from those poor folks, when He comes back again,
and admit He's talked to all them preachers who say they been a talkin' to Him?
Just ask ya' self, Would He wear a pinky ring,
Would He drive a fancy car?
Would His wife wear furs and diamonds, would His dressing room have a star?
If He came back tomorrow, well there's somethin' I'd like to know:
Could ya tell me, would Jesus wear a Rolex,
Would Jesus wear a Rolex
Would Jesus wear a Rolex
On His television show-ooh-ooh?
You Love The World – Keith Green
James 4:3-10, 1 John 2:15-17, Luke 9:23-26, Luke 21:34-36
When I read what Christ said about loving the world, I find that His emphasis is on the love of it’s security, the love of it’s respect, the love of it’s entertainment — simple everyday loves. And I find the love of the world hiding in the shadows of my own heart, and once again have to cry out for forgiveness and grace.
I want you here with Me
But you've been keeping other company
You can't sit still, it's plain to see
You love the world and you're avoiding Me
My Word sits there upon your desk
But you love your books and magazines the best
You prefer the light of your TV
You love the world and you're avoiding Me
You used to pray, you were so brave
Now you can't keep even one appointment we've made
Oh, I gave My blood, to save your life
Tell Me, tell Me is it right? Tell Me
Will you leave Me here alone again tonight?
Well, I love you, still more and more
But you're fighting everything I'm working for
You're acting like My enemy
You love the world and you're avoiding Me
You love the world, you know you love the world
You love the world, avoiding Me
These other loves, they're hurting you
If you end up losing Me, then what will you do?
Oh, I gave My blood, to save your life
Tell Me, tell Me is it right?
Will you leave Me here alone again tonight?
Well, I want you here with Me
But you've been keeping other company
And you prefer the light of your TV
You love the world and you're avoiding Me
You love the world, you love the world
You love the world and you're avoiding Me
You love the world
You love the world, you're avoiding Me
Why Aren’t We Waiting – Chaz Bosarge
Colossians 4:2-4, Isaiah 26:8-11, 2 Peter 3:11-14, Psalms 37
“Why aren’t we waiting?” I can easily answer with a quickly manufactured theological mini sermon, but “why am I personally not waiting,” is not so easily answered. Wonderfully good and needful things keep me from my Lord. I find myself Martha (the Biblical Martha — this is not a jab at my wife), wishing I could be Mary (the Biblical Mary — not any Mary you know), but too practical to actually let some of the good and needful things go undone.
Often we come with preconceived notions
We stick with our programs
We go through the motions
Everything works out just fine
We get out on time
But I wonder if it makes heaven cry
When we say we love the One we deny
Do we need You enough
Do we want You enough
Lord, If we do
Why are we in a rush
What has taken our time
What has blinded our eyes
We claim to love You heart, soul and mind
But Lord, if we do
Why aren’t we waiting on You
What would we do if our hearts were uncovered
At that very moment
We should discover
We’ve been playing spiritual games
All in His name
Would we go on and pretend
Or desperately cry out for Him
Do we need You enough
Do we want You enough
Lord, If we do
Why are we in a rush
What has taken our time
What has blinded our eyes
We claim to love You heart, soul and mind
But Lord, if we do
Why aren’t we waiting on You
Brother’s Keeper – Rich Mullins/Beaker
Genesis 4:9, Luke 10:25-37, Luke 6:27-42
I want to be good to the people in my life so badly. And I know that’s part of the evidence of salvation — loving your neighbor and wanting to be true to the love that Christ places in your heart. But there’s not much that I fail at more regularly. I’m forever needing to go back to the Lord to ask Him to help me do what He has given me the desire to do — make me my brother’s keeper.
Now the plumber's got a drip in his spigot
The mechanic's got a clank in his car
And the preacher's thinking thoughts that are wicked
And the lover's got a lonely heart
My friends ain't the way I wish they were
They are just the way they are
And I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will, I will be my brother's keeper
Now this roof has got a few missing shingles
But at least we got ourselves a roof
And they say that she's a fallen angel
I wonder if she recalls when she last flew
There's no point in pointing fingers
Unless you're pointing to the truth
And I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will, I will be my brother's keeper
I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will, I will be my brother's keeper
Man Against Man – Buddy Greene
Colossians 3:1-17, Deuteronomy 10:17-19, Leviticus 19:15, James 2:1-17
When Christ looked at a person, I guess there was really only one category He ever saw. Adams race, all created in God’s image, all broken, all sinful, all needing a Savior. And when I forget that, my condemning, judgmental, stereotyping reflex demonstrates that it is alive and well in my flesh.
There's a fiery cross but it's not the cross of Christ
And sometimes it smolders and sometimes it rages in the night
And whether you glimpse it or see it glaring it's a horrible sight
Cause it has absolutely nothing to do with light
And it's fueled by a sin as ancient as man
And in some places I swear it's caused a curse in the land
It sends up a stench no holy God could ever stand
And it's man against man, it's black and it's white
It's man against man, it's wrong and never right
It's man against man, it's Gentile and Jew
And when it's man against man Lord
God, it's man against You
It's been disguised as preference in our rhetoric and prose
Dressed up like something else when underneath like a cancer it grows
And unchecked it breeds corruption beneath deceptive clothes
In a vain attempt to hide what only the truth will expose
It's bred in our fathers and passed on to their sons
In the privileged, deprived, the genius, or the simpleton
It can raise it's ugly head in nearly everyone
And it's man against man, it's black and it's white
It's man against man, it's wrong and never right
It's man against man, it's Gentile and Jew
And when it's man against man Lord
God, it's man against You
I've seen it in our churches and I've seen it in our schools
It's thriving in our neighborhoods and our social party rules
In Mississippi, New York City, in Capetown or Iran
Oh, the colors change but the politics are still man against man
But on a cross of crucifixion 2000 years ago
Blood was shed for the sins of every man and now I know
At the foot of that cross the ground is level and there's no
Man against man, no black, no white
There's no man against man It's wrong and never right
No man against man, neither Gentile or Jew
Cause when it's man against man Lord
God, it's man against You
God it's man against You
Recovering Pharisee – Buddy Greene
Romans 7:21-8:11
My Christian life is very similar to what I imagine rehab is like. I’m in recovery — the cure has been given and it is even now at work. My mind is being changed to reflect the mind of Christ. But my flesh has got ruts a mile deep where the wheels of old habits go round and round. I know Christ is at work within me, but sometimes I wish He’d speed up the process.
I'm a pharisee in recovery
With new eyes I can see a big sinner in me
But it's the way of my human heart
To confess other people's sin,
Reluctant to admit my part
or the deeper problem within.
But, thank God, He won't let me be,
or remain in my hypocrisy
Sooner or later I'll be on my knees
honest to God a recovering Pharisee
I'm a sinner and a saint simultaneously
I'm not what I was or what I'm goin' to be
Still I've got that ol' tendency
to be all a wicked man can be
It takes more than knowin' right from wrong
It takes more than singin' gospel songs
It takes the life of the Great I Am
to produce any good in me
He's the Vine I'm the branch and I'm learnin' to be
Honest to God, a recovering Pharisee
I need the God of all grace each and every day
If I'm to run his race if I'm to walk in His way
I don't have to be a slave to sin
I don't have to let the devil win
Cause the Son of God lives in me
and He promises to set me free
So, Jesus, help my unbelief so I can follow you faithfully
You're the Shepherd I'm the sheep and you're helpin' me be Honest to God, a recovering Pharisee
Live Your Life – Tim Lovelace
Proverbs 11:10, Matthew 12:33-36, Luke 6:43-49
I’ve sung the standards at dozens of funeral and heard some whitewashed (sometimes completely erroneous) eulogies by pastors who either did not know the person or knew them and lied as big as Dallas. And then there were the sweet funerals where we grieved for the gaping hole left in our lives, yet knew we’d see them again. That’s what I want my funeral to be like.
Well I went to a funeral the other day and no one shed a tear
They were playing “Happy Days Are Here Again” and a verse of “Wasted Years”
Preacher stood, he was shaking; it was time for the service to begin
But when he started talkin’, he started coughin’, and it dawned on me right then
You’ve got to live your life so the preacher don’t have to lie at your funeral
Don’t wait until it’s way too late to get everything straight with God
Don’t have your friends sittin’ there for an hour sayin’ “look what I wasted on flowers”
Live your life so they’ll have something good to say.
Live your life so they’ll have something good to say.
Well everyone was sittin’ there grinnin; pallbearers were tellin’ jokes
I thought, “I don’t want that to happen to me when it comes my time to croak”
Preacher said, “There lies a good man, I believe it without a doubt.”
Then the widow jumped up and ran to the casket to see who he was talkin’ about.
You’ve got to live your life so the preacher don’t have to lie at your funeral
Don’t wait until it’s way too late to get everything straight with God
Don’t have your friends sittin’ there for an hour sayin’ “look what I wasted on flowers”
Live your life so they’ll have something good to say.
Live your life so they’ll have something good to say.
You’ve got to live your life so the preacher don’t have to lie at your funeral
Don’t wait until it’s way too late to get everything straight with God
Don’t have your friends sittin’ there for an hour sayin’ “look what I wasted on flowers”
Live your life so they’ll have something good to say.
Live your life so they’ll have something good to say.
Modern Man – Stephen Hill
Romans 3:10-18, Isaiah 59
When people come to our house, they are often surprised by the quiet. In the beginning of our marriage, we decided to do without cable TV; at the same time, living in the sticks, we have internet that is limited and slow. Not having those things, we gradually reacquired the sensitivity to filth that had somewhat eroded for both of us with prolonged exposure to media before marriage. When we see live TV now, it amazes us to think that we were at one time comfortable to be entertained by that. That’s an issue previous generations never had to deal with. Evil that used to be shut out of the protected atmosphere of the home is now piped in at every moment without pause. You can hold it in your hand, you can put it in your ear; it is readily accessible anywhere you go.
modern man has mass communication
modern man lives in isolation
email cell phone iPod all alone
even when he’s standing in a crowd
modern man is in touch with his feelings
modern man has a sense of reeling
from PCs, TVs, why do we need therapy
when everything is said and done
education and technology
haven’t made a man all the things that he oughta be
he still needs a touch from God’s guiding hand
reaching down to the modern man
have mercy on the modern man
modern man is surrounded by violence
modern man is in need of guidance
hospitals trial acquitals, justice caught in the middle
blind to the people’s needs
modern man has his faith in the government
modern man is wondering where his money went
no cash, market crash, don’t tell and don’t ask
don’t matter anyway
education and technology
haven’t made a man all the things that he oughta be
he still needs a touch of God’s guiding hand
reaching down to the modern man
have mercy on the modern man
education and technology
haven’t made a man all the things that he oughta be
he still needs a touch of God’s guiding hand
reaching down to the modern man
have mercy on the modern man
have mercy
Hard to Get – Rich Mullins
Psalm 73, Isaiah 55:8-11, Luke 22:39-46, Isaiah 53:4
What stands out most to me about the person of Christ is that He’s absolutely unpredictable. He’s full of contrasts. In every given circumstance He does exactly the right thing — but the right thing is rarely what I would have thought the right thing would be. If I had been a disciple, I’m very sure I’d have been yelling with the rest of them, “Master, wake up! Don’t you care that we’re gonna die?” Very sure, because that’s exactly the way I am now.
You who live in heaven
Hear the prayers of those of us who live on earth
Who are afraid of being left by those we love
And who get hardened by the hurt
Do you remember when You lived down here where we all scrape
To find the faith to ask for daily bread
Did You forget about us after You had flown away
Well I memorized every word You said
Still I'm so scared, I'm holding my breath
While You're up there just playing hard to get
You who live in radiance
Hear the prayers of those of us who live in skin
We have a love that's not as patient as Yours was
Still we do love now and then
Did You ever know loneliness; did You ever know need
Do You remember just how long a night can get?
When You were barely holding on, and Your friends fall asleep
And don't see the blood that's running in Your sweat
Will those who mourn be left uncomforted
While You're up there just playing hard to get?
And I know you bore our sorrows
And I know you feel our pain
And I know it would not hurt any less
Even if it could be explained
And I know that I am only lashing out
At the One who loves me most
And after I figured this, somehow
All I really need to know
Is if You who live in eternity
Hear the prayers of those of us who live in time
We can't see what's ahead
And we can not get free of what we've left behind
I'm reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears
All the words of shame and doubt, blame and regret
I can't see how You're leading me unless You've led me here
Where I'm lost enough to let myself be led
And so You've been here all along I guess
It's just Your ways and You are just plain hard to get
You Get Back Each Single Minute – Mark Bishop
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2, 1 Peter 5:10, Romans 8:18-37
“I will restore the years that the locusts have eaten.” I love these words in Joel. I know so many people who are like the saints of the Old Testament — they don’t understand the ‘why’ of their present circumstances, but they look ahead with eyes of faith and know that in the end, God will make it right.
If they could see all the things you've had to deal with I believe
that the world would be as proud of you as me.
Oh I believe. Yes, I believe.
But how could they know that a heavy heart would bring you down so low. When through it all you never let it show. And all along your faith was strong.
There were hard times, there were tough days When you seemed to carry the weight Of the whole world on your shoulders all alone But if you think that no-one noticed, God was watching and he promised Every single prayer was brought before his throne.
So in the valley, at your limit Every moment you were in it You get back each single minute You get back each single minute You get back each single minute
All of your life when you think about the days You spent in strife Oh you didn't waste a single tear you cried They were the keys to eternity
So when the tears come, when your heart breaks And you can't give all that it takes Every troubled day that's mounting There's an angel somewhere counting. You get back each single minute.
So in the valley, at your limit Every moment you were in it You get back each single minute. You get back each single minute. You get back each single minute. You get back each single minute. You get back each single minute. You get back each single minute. You get back each single minute. Every tear shed for a loved one, every night you spent in prayer Every kindness, every mercy is remembered over there. You get back each single minute...
Talk About the Good Times – Jerry Reed
1 Peter 1:3-9, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 11:1-9, Isaiah 2:1-5
This song reminds me so much of my Grandad — a man who loved Jesus, loved his family, and loved his community. He was told that he needed open heart surgery by the doctor, and when his sister got onto him for cooking his eggs, bacon, biscuits, & gravy, he told her, “There’s somebody bigger than the doctor. I’m hurting, I’m tired, and I’m ready to go.” It makes me smile to think of him seinin’ for minners in the River of Life, humming “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.” Talk about a good time.
Well I remember when we were just children
The time when people used to treat the neighbor like a fellow man
And all their singin' and big prayer meetin's
When a man was proud to walk up and shake his neighbors hand
Oh you talk about the good times,
Talk about the good times
If you ever needed help a friend was there
When some good neighbor'd
Help lift your burden
All the simple joys of life a friend would share
Now the times are harder and the people are changin'
Today most folks couldn't tell you who their neighbors are
All their guns are loaded, the front doors are bolted
Ain't this ol' world takin' hate and fear just a little too far
Oh you talk about the good times,
Talk about the good times
I wish I could go back to the days I'm speakin of
When a friend would meet you
And a smile would greet you
What this ol' world needs now is a little old fashioned love
My granddaddy God rest his soul now
Well we had a big long talk together the day he died
Said son this world is full of hate and venom
I can't wait to leave this ol' place and rest on the other side
Oh you talk about the good times, talk about the good times
I'm gonna see all the friends I knew in the good ol' days
We'll have a big hand shakin'
Sit and talk together
Sit down by the river Jordan and sing our blues away
Oh you talk about the good times, talk about the good times
Talk about the good times
I'm gonna see all the friends I knew in the good ol' days
We'll have a big hand shakin'
Sit and talk together
Sit down by the river Jordan and sing our blues away
Oh you talk about the good times, talk about the good times
Talk about the good times
I'm gonna see all the friends I knew in the good ol' days
We'll have a big hand shakin'
Sit and talk together
Sit down by the river Jordan and sing our blues away
Recorded and produced by Tommy Cooper
Tracks recorded at OmniSound Studio,
Nashville Engineers: Tommy Cooper, Lee Unfried, Mike Walter
Vocals recorded at AFAB Studio,
Nashville Mixed at AFAB Studio,
Nashville Strings recorded at Little Big Sound,
Nashville Orchestra Engineer: Jeff Pitzer Mastering – Keith Compton,
Nashville Graphics – McClearan Design Studios
Cover Art – Lorianne Hubbard
Replication – TCA (Tape Corporation of America)
Piano/Organ/Keyboards: Gary Prim
Drums/Percussion: Tommy Harden, John Hammond
Bass: Duncan Mullins
Electric Guitars: Kelly Back
Acoustic Guitar/Banjo/Fiddle: Bruce Watkins
Fiddle/Bouzouki: Glen Duncan
Steel Guitar/Dobro: Scott Sanders
Penny Whistle/Recorder: Sam Levine
Accordion: Jeff Taylor
Harmonica: Buddy Greene
Cello: John Catchings
Jug: Tommy Cooper
Background Vocals: Miles Pike, Martha Pike, Angela Primm, Gale Mayes, Reggie Smith, Buddy Greene
String Arrangements & Orchestrations: Milton Smith
Orchestra: Violins: David Davidson, David Angell/Viola: Monisa Angell/Cello: John Catchings